Position Summary:

The Philadelphia Department of Public Health (PDPH) Division of COVID Containment is responding to the public health emergency of COVID-19 in Philadelphia. During the period of community transmission, PDPH is working continuously to detect new cases of COVID-19, identify sources of transmission, control spread and protect vulnerable populations. These efforts are in tandem with Philadelphia-wide efforts to rapidly expand testing and protect those who are most vulnerable while beginning to re-open the City and lessen the restrictions on social distancing.

To strengthen containment efforts and to ensure equitable access to rapid COVID-19 testing in underserved areas of the city, the Division of COVID Containment has established COVID-19 Resource Hubs where people can be tested for COVID-19 and/or can pick up a rapid antigen test to use at home. These hubs will expand in the coming months to offer more varied public health services and education. The COVID-19 Resource Hub Response Specialist is responsible for assisting the public with COVID-19 specimen self-collection and/or distribution of COVID-19 test kits, maintaining consistent hours of operation for the resource hubs, and working seamlessly with other organizations that will provide services in the space.

This position is full time, with a 5 day, 37.5 hour/week schedule based on the specific hub location. During surge periods, this position may require flexibility to support tasks outside of your standard work duties, including in person support of vaccination, testing, and community events. Surge periods may also require the flexibility to work evenings and weekends outside of your typical work schedule, which Division leadership will work cooperatively with staff to arrange and assign. The position is grant funded for a minimum of one (1) year. Continuation of the position is dependent on sustained grant funding.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Support a COVID-19 Resource Hub through participation in activities like registration, line control, data entry, providing individuals with self-administered testing instructions, result notification, and other similar site activities. The Specialist will not be collecting specimens from others or providing medical advice
• Distribute resources including COVID-19 home test kits to the public
• Provide education and referrals to the public regarding COVID-19
• Ensure that high-quality services are being provided during open hours

Skills Required:

• Comfortable working within a team environment and with the public
• Excellent communication and organizational skills, and attention to detail
• Ability to interact appropriately and effectively with a wide range of persons
• Strong critical thinking skills, excellent English language skills, including composition, grammar, and public speaking

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree

Preferred Work Environment and Physical Requirements:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, sit, talk, and hear. The employee is occasionally required to use hands to finger, handle or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands or arms; stoop, kneel, or crouch. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. The position requires responding to public health emergencies and at times requires rapid turnaround of communications on short notice.

Equal Opportunity Employment:

PMHCC, Inc. is committed to equal opportunity. It is our policy to support equal
employment for all employees and applicants without regard to race, religion, color, sex, sexual preferences, age, national origin, disability, behavioral health status, military status or any other characteristic protected by law.

Americans with Disabilities Act:

Employees as well as applicants who are currently, or become disabled, must be able to perform the functions of the job with either reasonable accommodation or unaided. PMHCC, Inc. will examine reasonable accommodations on a case by case basis in accordance with the law.